The Foodie Blogroll Challenge

Imagine my surprise and excitement yesterday evening when I checked my email and saw I had an opportunity to compete in the Foodie Blogroll Iron Foodie contest. As usual, I was in the kitchen when I read this, covered in cornmeal and jalapenos, trying to create my own rendition of Chile Verde (it turned out good, recipe to come soon). Lizzie was listening intently to me as I read her the competition questions. She even tried to help me come up with answers, although hers would probably not qualify us for much since her favorite childhood meal consisted of fringe off of pillows and scraps of anything that fell off the table. At least she tried…

After some thought, here are my final answers to the questions:

1. Why do you want to compete in this challenge?

I am passionate about food and sharing my ideas with other. The importance of being able to fill your loved ones with food that nourishes and comforts is something that has been instilled in me since I was a child. This challenge gives your imagination the chance to run wild thinking about unique ingredients and flavor combinations. Most importantly, it highlights a family business who believes through and through in the importance of wholesome food. My family and the family at Marx food share the excitement that delicious food creates.

2. Limitations of time/space notwithstanding, whose kitchen would you like to spend the day in & why? Julia Child, Thomas Keller, Ferran Adria, James Beard, Marie Antoine Careme, or The Swedish Chef?

Out of the chefs listed, I would have to select Julia Child. Her meals and cooking tips are timeless and her ability to teach in a style that is not intimidating speaks wonders of her abilities. She also reminds me of my Nana in so many ways, who is my cooking inspiration. To be able to spend a day in my Nana’s kitchen would be a dream come true.

3. What morsel are you most likely to swipe from family & friends’ plates when they aren’t looking?

This is a purely hypothetical answer since I would never swipe food off of someones plate (ha). But here you go: Appetizer wise, guard your olives and croutons with your life. When it comes to the main course, I would snatch any type of carbohydrate. Potatoes, pasta, and bread would stand no chance against my quick fingers. And, dessert, my one true love (sorry Wes), consider yourself lucky if you didn’t find a finger streak through the icing on your cake.

4. Sum your childhood up in one meal.

Another tough question! My parents are both great cooks, with my mom doing most of her work inside and dad outside at the grill. I will have to give a two part answer here. The most memorable meal prepared by my mom would consist of her famous Caesar salad, along with chicken paprikash over large noodles. Dad’s meal would be grilled potatoes and steak, with my mom’s Caesar salad on this side if I was lucky. Dessert is simple: Jam-Jam’s. These babies are my nana’s creation and hold a very dear spot in my heart, along with the hearts of many of my childhood friends.

5. The one mainstream food you can’t stand?

Mushrooms. Bleh. Grilled, stuffed, fried, I still can’t handle them.

So there you have it, my answers. I would love to be one of the 25 contestants selected to move on to the next part of the competition, which includes receiving a box filled with 8 ingredients from Marx food. From there, you have to select three and create a meal. How cool is that? I do love a challenge! And with that, I leave you with this beautiful picture

Yes, that is mashed potatoes, black beans, cheese, and lord knows what else stuffed into a jar. Check out Cowboy Chow whenever you have the chance. Venture down into deep ellum; it is totally worth it.